Amberley Castle

Among England's picturesque villages, there are few more idyllic than Amberley in West Sussex, home to the fairy-tales-do-come-true Amberley Castle. This 900-year-old stone monument features original medieval architecture, including 60-foot-high curtain walls and a twin-tower gatehouse. Each of the elegant guest rooms makes the most of the building's historic character and incorporates furnishings that suit the rich setting. Fine dining takes place in the Queens Room, a stunning space whose details include leaded windows and a vaulted barrel ceiling. Formal gardens, a croquet lawn and a tranquil pond are all designed to take you back to a more leisurely era. You can also venture across a rope bridge to a thatched-roof tree house (available for private meals) or enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the eighteen-hole putting course.